"Multiple NHL sources say Hemsky, who has two years left on his contract before he can walk away as an unrestricted free agent, gave off some positive vibes at his exit meeting about the direction of the Oilers' rebuilding job, so the team might want to re-sign him, anyway."

I was told much the same thing from somebody I trust late last week: in essence, Hemsky, who has given off some very negative vibes about his tenure and his future with the Edmonton Oilers in recent seasons, had a very positive chat with Oilers brass during his exit meetings.

That's significant, no?

Reason to stay?

Based on what I've heard and seen from Hemsky in recent seasons, I didn't have much doubt, any actually, he'd be bolting city limits and not looking back the second his contract is up two seasons from now.

That wasn't hinged on just one or two off-handed remarks, but on several discussions he had with scribes, including me, over four consecutive seasons out of the playoffs. Beyond the obvious frustration that comes with losing, Hemsky seemed like a profoundly unhappy camper, to me.

Unhappy enough I suggested GM Steve Tambellini should consider trading him -- as early as June at the Entry Draft if it would land the Oilers the second overall pick that belongs to Boston -- to get the most value for the talented Czech forward rather than have him devalued while awaiting his chance to scram.

At 26, and with a bargain $4.1-million cap hit, Hemsky is Tambellini's best bargaining chip as he delves into a rebuild. A shot at sweeping both Tyler Seguin and Taylor Hall is worth giving up two more years of Hemsky, I argued a couple months ago (without knowing if Peter Chiarelli would laugh or listen).

I don't know the first thing as far as what exactly was said during Hemsky's exit meeting, but if Tambellini left the sit-down with the positive feeling I'm led to believe he did, it changes everything.

If you pencil in no. 83...

If, to borrow from Daryl Katz, Hemsky isn't going anywhere, then what does that change moving forward? Plenty, obviously, starting with what Tambellini does this summer.

With the No. 1 pick in his hip pocket, does Tambellini look to move somebody else of note -- Dustin Penner? -- to land another top-10 pick? Does he think slightly bigger than that, like top-five, or smaller?

If Hemsky is of the mind to wait and see how this rebuild unfolds and is at least open to re-signing -- at a healthy raise -- does that change who Tambellini drafts with the No. 1 pick in Los Angeles? Would Hall be the dynamic left winger Hemsky hasn't had to play with? I don't know.

What I do know is that if Hemsky really has turned, if he's sold on what he's seeing and what Tambellini is pitching, this team is going to look different than it would have otherwise.

We'll have to wait and see how this plays out because one meeting doesn't necessarily change everything that led me to believe Hemsky couldn't wait do get out of Oil Country.

But it's the first indication I've heard in a long, long time that Hemsky doesn't have one eye on the door.

Listen to Robin Brownlee Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Jason Gregor Show on TEAM 1260.

A sports writer since 1983, including stints at The Edmonton Journal and The Sun 1989-2007, I happily co-host the Jason Gregor Show on TSN 1260 twice a week and write when so inclined. Have the best damn lawn on the internet. Most important, I am Sam's dad. Follow me on Twitter at Robin_Brownlee. Or don't.

Good read Robin. I'm kinda leaning either way. They trade him and get some one or sign him. I've been on the Seguin bandwagon since day one but a resigned Hesmky could easly sway me towards Hall.

I'm not saying Hemsky staying would result in any change in how the Oilers rate Hall because nobody has told me that. But if you take Hemsky out of the equation in terms of being possible trade bait because the threat of him bolting has diminished, there's a ripple effect.

Hemsky is one of my favorite players, but I would sacrifice him if his personality might infect some of the younger players as well as his work ethic. No player is above the team, and if the Oilers can make their team better and younger I'm all for it.

Really you got that from this article ? Remember the Oilers tried to convince Hemsky they will get another winger for him ie. "Heatly,Hossa" no center ever. But yes Seguin will be great for the Oilers. I can't remember the last time the Oilers have tried to get a 1st line center.

I really want Seguin. Do the Oilers really want to pick him ? They seem to always want wingers in the UFA at least the last couple years.

Did it ever occur to you that maybe Hemsky does not like the scribes and the feeling you got from him was his skin crawling with all the talking heads surrounding him and him just wanting to get away from you fine folks. And since when do you guys report feelings should you not be reporting facts so you save your self from getting egg on your face. Irresponsible journalism does not look good on you and this coming from someone who thinks your a awesome sports journalist. And make sure you do not flip flop on Hall vs Seguin again just because your buddy thinks different. I am waiting tell June 25th to see you get more egg on your face when Hall gets drafted. But that would probably just lead to years of you and your buddy's ripping the Oilers for not drafting Seguin. Its so predictable its not funny. SRY bad mood but its off my chest now.;)

Did it ever occur to you that maybe Hemsky does not like the scribes and the feeling you got from him was his skin crawling with all the talking heads surrounding him and him just wanting to get away from you fine folks. And since when do you guys report feelings should you not be reporting facts so you save your self from getting egg on your face. Irresponsible journalism does not look good on you and this coming from someone who thinks your a awesome sports journalist. And make sure you do not flip flop on Hall vs Seguin again just because your buddy thinks different. I am waiting tell June 25th to see you get more egg on your face when Hall gets drafted. But that would probably just lead to years of you and your buddy's ripping the Oilers for not drafting Seguin. Its so predictable its not funny. SRY bad mood but its off my chest now.;)

Robin, have you heard whether the Oilers feel Seguin will be ready to make the jump to the NHL next year? Or if he could use another year in junior. I'm starting to get pretty excited about the possibility of him being an Oiler.

LOL You quoted it so just read it again. But if its not up to your standards I apologize sincerely as you must be so much smarter then little old me.

I said it and I meant it. the fact that you decided to throw a barb instead of a rebuttal to me means what I said has some merit.

Did you flip flop on Seguin vs Hall? yes or no

Did you report that Hemsky wants out of town because you and your buddy's had a feeling? yes or no

I already know the proper answer to these questions unless your willing to explain it for me because from where I sit you have egg on your face. I take you as someone who should have a thick skin with what you do for living so no need to throw barbs if your feelings were hurt. If you see it different I am a grown up I would love to hear it.

LOL You quoted it so just read it again. But if its not up to your standards I apologize sincerely as you must be so much smarter then little old me.

I said it and I meant it. the fact that you decided to throw a barb instead of a rebuttal to me means what I said has some merit.

Did you flip flop on Seguin vs Hall? yes or no

Did you report that Hemsky wants out of town because you and your buddy's had a feeling? yes or no

I already know the proper answer to these questions unless your willing to explain it for me because from where I sit you have egg on your face. I take you as someone who should have a thick skin with what you do for living so no need to throw barbs if your feelings were hurt. If you see it different I am a grown up I would love to hear it.

Brownlee said:

I'm not saying Hemsky staying would result in any change in how the Oilers rate Hall because nobody has told me that.

Where is the flip flop? Doesn't look like one to me.

That wasn't hinged on just one or two off-handed remarks, but on several discussions he had with scribes, including me, over four consecutive seasons out of the playoffs.

A feeling? It's called a prediction. Brownlee predicted that Hemsky wanted out based on Hemsky's behavior and conversations. That is hardly the same a reporting as fact that Hemsky wanted out of town.

If you feel the need to post crap like that at least wait until he has actually made a mistake...it happens often enough that there is no need to go after him for legitimate opinions.

Besides, if you can't handle the odd "barb", then maybe you shouldn't start a conversation with this sort of thing:

Dumbass wrote:

Did it ever occur to you that maybe Hemsky does not like the scribes and the feeling you got from him was his skin crawling.

Why should you get a civil response with that as your opening statement?

Hemmers the main reason I pay to see the Oil. I hope he does stay long term. With him, Hall, Eberle, Gagner, Penner, MPS, Omark, we can be in full attack mode. Plus with Boston already having playmakers in Savard, Bergeron, Krejci, it doesnt make sense that they would want another in Hemsky.

Wow your clever a true benefit to society. You have broken me and I feel so ashamed and have been crying ever since you posted. I may have to go see the doc and get my prescription filled in order to recover from your very very hurtful words before I hurt myself. Sry please do not hurt me with your words any more. your wit is impressive and razor sharp please realize your power and use it for good.

Not. try to do better next time your no match for me. Maybe Google a Burn or something instead of some tired old Mom joke. You probably have trouble's picking up a hooker never mind my Mom Douche. I usually do not respond to dim wits like you but its mothers day and you crossed the line even if your post lacked substance or any kind of brain cell activity.

From the start I didn't see what the big issue was. Sure you'd be concerned, but it's not like he is a UFA in two months.

Yes you need the good read, but guess what lots of the fans don't see that. They just read articles about how Hemsky might want out and they get all up in arms and call for him to be dealt for the 2nd overall pick.

Management should have good reads on all their players not just Hemsky. If someone like Cogliano or Gagner is unhappy the management should be just as concerned as they would be with Hemsky.

It's good to see that Katz potentially had a meeting with Hemsky to see where his head is at, I'd like to hear more of that with our key players.

Hemmers the main reason I pay to see the Oil. I hope he does stay long term. With him, Hall, Eberle, Gagner, Penner, MPS, Omark, we can be in full attack mode. Plus with Boston already having playmakers in Savard, Bergeron, Krejci, it doesnt make sense that they would want another in Hemsky.

It's fun watching him turn the puck over. Don't know if its worth the price of admission though.

You obviously miss the point completely. If you make a decision on Hemsky "two months" before he's an unrestricted free agent, you've missed the boat. You get nothing for him.

If you know two years before he's a UFA that he's unhappy and is highly unlikely to re-sign, then you either try to address that discontent -- as has apparently happened here -- or you decide to trade him so you get something back.

The optimal window for making such a trade with the above timeline in terms of return would fall between now and the deadline this coming season. The return diminishes if you wait until next summer, leaving just one year on his contract, or if you wait until the deadline of 2012, when you get a rental fee for him.

And fans "getting up in arms" because they don't want to "see that" means nothing, zero, in the decision-making process.

Hemsky's negative state of mind was a concern. If that state of mind is changing, it's a significant development. You can talk around that if you want, but if you do then, like I said, you've missed the point.

From the start I didn't see what the big issue was. Sure you'd be concerned, but it's not like he is a UFA in two months.

Yes you need the good read, but guess what lots of the fans don't see that. They just read articles about how Hemsky might want out and they get all up in arms and call for him to be dealt for the 2nd overall pick.

Management should have good reads on all their players not just Hemsky. If someone like Cogliano or Gagner is unhappy the management should be just as concerned as they would be with Hemsky.

It's good to see that Katz potentially had a meeting with Hemsky to see where his head is at, I'd like to hear more of that with our key players.

There have been enough trade demands on this team for management to get a chill up their spine if Hemsky doesn't seem happy. Not being an UFA didn't stop Souray, Comrie, and Pronger from affecting the team, did it?

Or you could just wait to see how the year goes and move him at the deadline(2011). I'd suspect a player like Hemsky making 4mil would be very attractive come the trade deadline.

It's not like Hemsky is Souray, Hemsky has a tonne of value around the league and would be wanted by quite a few teams. If he wanted out it would be a shame, but at the sametime you are going to get a good return for him.